Elder Care Cafe

Recent reports indicate more seniors are smoking marijuana as baby boomers age. Are we really surprised by this? After all, who started the peace movement of the 1960s and early 1970s? Long considered a drug for young people, more people in their 50s and 60s, and even some in their 70s and 80s, are enjoying a [...]

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There are a number of ways to safely combat seasonal affective disorder (SAD) and relieve the symptoms of depression and darkness that descend every fall for many of you who live in the Northern Hemisphere. SAD symptoms include a sadness that rests upon someone during the months from November through February, irritability, cravings for carbohydrates, [...]

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Baby boomers have always been a social group. After all, they grew up with Elvis Presley, the Beetles, and Rock and Roll. Sports, dances, and clubs were de rigeur in high school and college. Sock hops and dances were the place to be on Friday and Saturday nights. In the winter months sock hops were held in [...]

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As we approach Valentine’s Day, great news arrives for chocolate lovers around the world. Recent studies reveal that chocolate is good for the body as well as good for the soul. A new study that analyzed three previous studies reveals eating moderate amounts of dark chocolate can provide numerous health benefits, including the possibility of [...]

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Many people think that after they reach their senior years, 60 and beyond, they no longer need as many calories as they did when they were younger. That is not the case. Actually, seniors need more of certain nutrients because their bodies are less efficient in making or absorbing certain vitamins and minerals. For example, many [...]

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Although healthy living is important for everyone of all ages, it is especially vital that those of us over sixty follow a healthy lifestyle regimen. The three steps highlighted below will help all of us live longer, but also live better. We all want more energy, left health problems such as high blood pressure or [...]

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Because we are in the midst of flu and cold season, I thought I would provide a reminder of what to do in case you or a family member find yourself combating the influenza virus. Although most of the points are common sense, when we are feeling under the weather we don’t always remember what we [...]

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God has given me a precious gift since we moved into our new home – the gift of Peace. Both Dad and I are feeling it, and are very much aware that we are living in a space filled with peace. As the new year descends upon us, I am preparing to write my goals [...]

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Along with the goals and objectives I am developing for the coming year as mentioned in yesterday’s post, I am also including healthy aging as a priority for both Dad and myself. As a caregiver, I need to stay healthy in order to better help the one I am caring for. Here is a brief [...]

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Every year since the early 1990s I have written down my goals for the coming year. Some years I have had great success by diligently following my goals, while other years life seemed to take its own course and the goals fell by the wayside. Unfortunately, that was the case in 2009. In one of [...]

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Many caregivers fall into their role when a family member or close friend becomes ill or too old to care for themselves. Most of the time no training in how to give care has been provided, and caregivers are learning on-the-job so to speak. One area that may not come to mind for new or untrained [...]

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As the holidays quickly approach, there are a number of ways caregivers can reduce holiday stress. Planning holiday meals ahead of time will reduce the amount of stress caregivers experience as they are trying to buy presents, prepare more elaborate meals than usual, adjust to an influx of visitors, and control a budget that threatens [...]

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We are now in November and the holiday season is moving into full swing. Many people are already Christmas shopping, while others are preparing for a full house on Thanksgiving Day. For caregivers who are already stressed due to their daily duties and responsibilities, the holidays can look like a mountain they must somehow get over [...]

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Social media such as Facebook and Twitter are hot topics of late. Some say if you are not a part of the trend, you are missing out on life. Others say the social media sites are time-consuming, distracting, and dangerous. Some people dabble in the growing phenomenon, others are addicted spending many hours a day [...]

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With the numerous studies currently going on regarding diabetes prevention, it’s no wonder information regarding how to prevent diabetes appears on the landscape as often as it does. A 10-year study followed 3,000 high-risk patients with the aim to prevent rather than control diabetes has just released their findings. This study is one of the longest [...]

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